View full sizePeter Gabriel "Pete" Portella Jr., a Mobile, Alabama, native and certified public accountant, died Monday, July 11, 2011. He was 59.

MOBILE, Alabama -- Peter Gabriel "Pete" Portella Jr., a certified public accountant who retired after 13 years' service as COO/CFO of Silver Sands Factory Stores with Burton Brothers Management/Howard Group, died at home Monday. The Mobile native and resident was 59.

Portella was a U.S. Navy veteran who graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in finance. Following graduation, he worked as a CPA with Smith, Dukes and
Buckalew for 8 years. He then served as vice president of finance of Midtown Restaurants Corp. for 10 years.

An avid golfer, Portello was a founding member of the Bay Area Golf Association.

"He was a dedicated, loyal and loving husband, father and brother," relatives said in his obituary.

Portella is survived by his wife of 16 years, Valerie Turner Portella; a daughter, Alexandra Portella; brothers Chris Portella, Dennis Portella, Tommy Portella and Jimmy Portella; a sister, Angel Peters; and numerous other friends and relatives.